Pranabh urges Parliament to discuss Anna's demands

The Parliament and the Standing Committee should consider the three specific demands made by Anna camp, examining their practicability, implementability and constitutionality, Mukherjee said.   

The three sticking points between Team Anna and the government, stated in a letter from the Gandhian to the prime minister, include bringing the lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal, appointing Lokayuktas in states and the instituting citizens’ charters under the Lokpal.

Noting that Anna's agitation had drawn national and international attention, Mukherjee said Parliament should try resolve the issues raised by him without losing its supremacy in legislative matters.

Having forced a debate in Parliament, civil society leaders led by Anna Hazare on Friday have been unrelenting on three contentious points they want included in a Lokpal legislation or resolution to be passed by Parliament on Saturday.

On its part, the government continued consultations to reach a consensus on a resolution that would persuade the Gandhian to give up his fast.

Finance Minister and chief negotiator on behalf of the Centre, Pranab Mukherjee has made it clear that the government would not withdraw its version of the Lokpal bill discussion, though it would be open to making extensive amendment to the proposed draft legislation.